Meir Tunnel,Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Find out how the Meir Tunnel is establishing non-stop driver safety with LED tunnel lighting

I would highly recommend

the installation of the T-line LED system. Since the installation of the T-line LED lighting we have reduced our overall maintenance costs, saved a substantial amount of money in energy costs, reduced the carbon footprint and reduced the risks for the operatives.”

- Paul Diamond, Meir Tunnel Planning Manager Operations, Amey

Customer challenge

The Meir tunnel was in need of some innovative illumination. Its old lighting system, which was made up of fluorescent and high pressure sodium lights, was energy-inefficient and prone to failures. Modern lighting was needed to minimize disruptions to tunnel traffic.

The right lighting

Measuring 248 meters, the Meir tunnel required reliable lighting in order to guarantee driver safety. The previous lighting system had been installed to comply with an old regulation standard, but the luminaires were underperforming, causing regular disruptions.

Philips T-line LED luminaires were the light at the end of the tunnel. They were chosen by the highway contractor due to their excellent environmental performance, quality of light, and long life cycle. The decision was made to strip out the old system and install 600 T-line fixtures. The new system would use two versions of the luminaire to provide a linear lighting scheme. This would mean that if one were ever to fail, it would have little impact on the overall lighting.

The LED technology now provides numerous benefits. LED lighting delivers instant start-up following a power failure, eliminating the potentially dangerous cool-down period required for high pressure sodium lamps. Furthermore, the LED light sources are less susceptible to low ambient temperatures, which can significantly reduce the lumen output of fluorescent lamps.

The lights in the tunnel dim and brighten automatically to match the light outside, so a driver’s eyes do not have to adjust as they enter or exit the tunnel. Because drivers don’t have to slow down, traffic keeps moving and safety is increased.